About Our Team

BaseCamp Off-road Team

In a word...Diehards.Actually, call us ..."Livehards" - because we think living should be bold, no looking back for us dyed-in-the-wool upstate New Yorkers. The challenge, perseverance and hard work needed to prepare for the Baja 1000 is right up our alley. The fact that it is the longest, nonstop, point-to-point endurance race in the world added to the temptation to join the “this is crazy hard” crew we admire.

Our team values integrity in people and integrity in process. We believe the best challenge for ourselves, and for each other, is to do the right thing, treat people right, don’t take shortcuts, and take pride in our work.

Desert racing is not for everyone. So even if you are not up for “crazy hard”, we encourage you to live big, take the high road, challenge yourself, and don’t take the easy way out of anything. It's what we're going to do while we finish preparing for the Baja 1000 this November.

“If you do not live what you believe, you will end up believing what you live.”

Matt Barnes

From his time as a US Army Paratrooper when he jumped out of that first plane - throughout his career as a law-enforcement official - Sgt. Matt Barnes has always found value and great satisfaction in the preparation and training for all endeavors. That hardened work ethic, an appreciation for challenges and an annoyingly childish sense of humor culminate in some unexpected endeavors...like entering the world’s most grueling off-road race...for his first racing attempt ever. That’s right, there is no “double dog dare” you could defiantly throw his way that Barnes would not seriously consider. Aha, you start to discern the devilish glint in his eye.

Go big or go home is the attitude here. Like pulling off the first Upstate New York, US Army Best Ranger style law enforcement competition to determine bragging rights for the Rochester area’s “Best Cop.” With the help of then Greece Police Chief Todd Baxter, the law enforcement skills challenge went out and was met by dozens of area cops with the rallying cry to “strengthen and connect our law enforcement community.” From the ground up, Barnes planned, built, carried, and strong-willed the sponsors, supporters and law enforcement community into a unifying day of police tactical challenges including live shooting, rappelling and a helicopter rescue event. Gotta love big ideas.

Todd Baxter

Discipline. Service. Leadership. Oh yeah, and a sense of adventure.

Monroe County Sheriff Todd Baxter is mostly work, except for that sense of adventure. That unique nature that drives a 22 year Army veteran, 30 year law enforcement career, former SWAT Commander and now top cop in Monroe County. So you might ask, what compels one to sign on as co-driver and navigator in this notorious off-road race? Sheriff Baxter replies simply, “Barnes asked me.” Guess he knows a cool adventure when he hears one.

This is bucket list spontaneity at its best.

AnDy May

As a fleet mechanic for Fairport Electric Company, Andy, in his modest way would not admit to being the “Master Jedi” level mechanic we were lucky enough to find. Andy claims, “I thought this was going to be a cruise night car” yet his expertise in all things on wheels is the only reason we are willing to risk life and limb at the Baja 1000 this November in Mexico.

During five years of steady work on this project as mechanic, vicarious shop teacher and friend, Andy started out with a "little help assembling the front end” and guided us through completion to our now off-road racing worthy vehicle.

Andy sums up his passion, “I’d rather be building than racing.”

And what a beauty you’ve helped build, Andy.

John Bosch

In Upstate New York, where most people don’t know how to spell Baja, much less race in it...guess who we found? Yessiree, a bona fide racing fanatic (we say that in great admiration) and true VW nut who grew up working on Volkswagens. The fact that we didn't actually find him (Gary Walker brought him in on the biggest, two-for-one jackpot imaginable) shows how lucky we are.John Bosch has an impressive race history and an appreciation for detail that we continue to learn is crucial to our madcap attempt to become desert off-road racers. Having John on the team assures us we will last beyond the first (or fifth or fifteenth) hurdle that will be speeding our way at the Baja 1000. Can we mention again that John and Gary Walker finished in the top ten BOTH times they entered the Baja 1000 on bikes? Double underscore our further admiration.John’s Race History:2 time Baja 1000 Moto finisher with Gary Walker - 8th place 2014, 6th place 2015Rolex Grand Am Series competitor 2008-2012SCCA World Challenge Competitor 2002AMA Motocross Competitor 1987-presentCup Light Competitor 2000’sIce Racing series competitor 1990’sBob Bondurant Pro Search Finalist 1993

Brian Schrom

Brian is a lifelong resident of Upstate New York and an avid outdoor enthusiast. Brian has raced snowmobiles and dirt bikes since he was a kid (exactly how long ago he hides so well!) but as of late, family and career are winning this race now.

Brian is a multi-useful addition to our team this year; he is another law enforcement professional - are we partial? Brian has a lifetime of mechanical knowledge to bolster our "street smarts" at the Baja 1000 while thankfully lowering the median age of our team to a less laughable level.

​And the tipoff that he's the right guy for this mission? Brian was abruptly introduced to Officer Barnes some years ago when young Schrom was dabbling in a little hell-raising, racing his dirt bike down the street. Yep, he fits right in with this crew!